Reflecting on the 2024 UTFCU Annual Meeting

Last night, UT Federal Credit Union hosted its 55th Annual Meeting, bringing together members, board representatives, and special guests to celebrate another year of growth, community impact, and leadership transitions.

Supporting Our Campus Communities

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of our campus support funds. Each year, UTFCU allocates a portion of our interchange income to benefit higher education institutions. Initially, $29,000 was budgeted for campus support in 2025, but after discussion, our Board increased that amount by $5,000 to specifically support Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County (Friendsville) campus. This brought our total contributions for 2025 to $34,000, reinforcing our commitment to education and the communities we serve.

With these contributions, UTFCU’s total donations to scholarships and endowments have now reached an incredible $843,619! We were honored to present checks to Anesia Rolen, Executive Director of the Pellissippi State Foundation, and Stephanie Vozar, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at UT Knoxville.

Honoring CEO Debbie Jones’ Retirement

One of the most heartfelt moments of the evening was recognizing Debbie Jones, UTFCU’s retiring CEO, and her 29 years of dedicated service. Debbie has played an instrumental role in shaping the credit union, leading it from $50 million in assets and 5,000 members to over $500 million in assets and 25,000 members. Under her leadership, UTFCU expanded from four branches to eight, along with two back-office facilities, and transitioned to a five-county community charter.

Reflecting on her career, Debbie shared, “When I applied for VP of Finance in 1996, I had no idea it would lead me to being CEO and a 29-year career at UT Federal Credit Union.” She also reminisced about moving to Knoxville after her husband’s Army retirement, describing UTFCU as a place filled with “wonderful memories, so many laughs, and some tears.”

A special video tribute from the UTFCU team was shared, expressing deep appreciation for Debbie’s leadership and lasting impact. We thank her for nearly three decades of dedication and wish her a fulfilling retirement!

Leadership Transition & CEO Introduction

As Debbie embarks on her retirement journey, UTFCU welcomed our new President & CEO, Kenyon Warren. Kenyon was introduced to members and shared his excitement about joining the UTFCU community.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Board for entrusting me with this role.” Kenyon said. “Your dedication to our mission and commitment to the financial well-being of our members has built a strong foundation. I look forward to continuing that strength and working with you for many years to come.”

He also acknowledged the warm reception he received from UTFCU’s employees. “You guys have welcomed me with open arms this week. I’ve felt the love and felt part of the family from day one,” he shared. “I look forward to supporting you, working with you, and continuing to build upon the foundation you have already established.”

Annual Business Meeting & Election Results

Board Chair Mike McNeil led the official business portion of the meeting, including the approval of the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes, presentation of special reports, and confirmation of the Board election results. With three vacancies and three candidates, the nominees were confirmed by affirmation per UTFCU bylaws.

A Night of Celebration & Prizes

To close out the evening, members enjoyed the excitement of cash prize drawings, with several lucky attendees winning cash prizes.

Thank you to all who attended and participated in the 2024 Annual Meeting! Your engagement is what makes UTFCU a strong and thriving financial institution. We look forward to another year of serving our members and communities!